Razor storage device

ABSTRACT

A shaving razor storage device that holds a shaving razor and allows the shaving razor head to be placed within a volume of liquid so that the shaving razor head is preserved, conditioned, and sanitized, while allowing debris to be removed from the shaving razor head.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 61/997,225, filed on May 27, 2014 with an effective date of Jul. 2, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the personal hair shaving and skin care market and industry.

The present invention discloses and claims a device for storing a razor used for shaving to assist in the maintenance of the stored razor and enhance the shaving experience of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thousands of years ago, the quest for the elusive ‘perfect shave’ began. Records drawn on cave walls show prehistoric people shaving with clamshells, flint knives, and even shark teeth. Billions of dollars have been invested searching for the said perfect shave worldwide. New products are introduced into the worldwide multibillion dollar shaving market on an almost daily basis. This quest for the perfect shave has spawned shave clubs, shaving fanatics, specialty shave products, and late-night television jokes.

Consumers have continually sought to achieve a shaving experience that provides a more comfortable, closer shave, with less damage to their skin and at minimal costs. Razor blade and other shaving system manufactures have responded to said consumer demands with new and enhanced multi-bladed razors, lubrication strips, shaving creams/gels, pre-shave oils, post shave systems, and a large variety of skin moisturizers, to list a few. However, these products generally come with some drawbacks: they can be expensive, have limited lifespan, and can be time consuming.

There therefore exists a need for a ‘perfect shaving system’ that contains the following elements: a process for maintaining razor blade sharpness, with minimal loss of sharpness after each use; a zero- or low-friction substance that enables the razor blade to glide over skin without causing irritation yet still allowing the razor blade to cut hairs to near-zero length and as close to the skin as possible; a process that substantially reduces or eliminates skin irritation, cuts, and ingrown hairs; maximization of cleanliness and a sanitary experience; ease of use, requiring little to no additional time compared to current shaving methods; and low cost.

The present invention, as described and claimed herein, meets these needs and provides for a superior shaving experience that extends razor blade longevity and sharpness, provides a clean and sanitary razor blade and shaving experience, is easy to use, requires no additional time to use when compared to current shaving methods, and does not add any significant cost to the shaving experience and, in fact, may reduce the cost of shaving due to increased blade longevity and the elimination of the need or desire to use additional specialized shaving products.

PRIOR ART

Others have attempted to provide systems to meet needs and goals set forth hereinabove. However, none of them have created a solution that addresses the needs of the market as well as the invention described and claimed herein.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,313,693 B2 to Winsell, dated Nov. 20, 2012, discloses and claims a Shaving Razor Maintenance System. Other prior art may exist. However, the inventor believes the present invention is superior and unique when compared to any other product or prior art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a razor storage system that enables a razor blade to maintain its sharpness for the maximum possible time, with minimal loss of sharpness after each use thereby enabling a single razor blade to last longer, provide more consistent and closer shaves over its lifetime to the user, reduce user cost, and reduce waste of disposable razor blades.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an invention that enhances the cleanliness and sanitary aspects of the shaving experience.

It is still another object of this invention to provide all of the aforementioned benefits with a device that is easy to use, requiring little to no additional time compared to current shaving methods, at a minimal cost to the user.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art and will in part be apparent from the specification and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a razor storage and maintenance system is provided, comprising: a three dimensional razor storage container defining a space having a volume defined by the length, width, and depth of the container, the volume being of sufficient size for containing a shaving razor, including the razor's razor head and at least a portion of the razor handle, and, optionally, a volume of liquid therein. Additionally, the razor storage container may have a low center of gravity. The volume of the container is the space defined and contained within the floor of the container, sides rising in a vertical manner from, and attached to, the floor of the container, which sides may be of any number in nature but which must form a full enclosed space, and the plane connecting all points along the top edges of the sides of the container. The unitary container may be considered to have two ends, the razor head end and the handle end. The razor head end is of sufficient size to accommodate the head of a razor used for shaving. The handle end is of sufficient size to accommodate at least a portion of the handle of a razor used for shaving. The floor of the razor storage container may slope from the handle end in a downward direction towards the razor head end (also known as the well end) or the depth of the container may change abruptly from the handle end to the razor head end. However, in all instances the elevation above the base of the razor head end of the container above is less than the elevation above the base of the handle end of the container. The razor storage container may be of any one of a number of geometries designed to contain any number of different types, styles, and/or sizes of shaving razors. The sides of the container must be of sufficient height such that a volume of fluid or liquid may be placed within the razor head end of the container and cover at least a portion of the razor head of a shaving razor placed in the container.

Preferred implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may contain a top or lid that fits atop the razor storage container thus partially, mostly, or fully enclosing the razor and preventing items or particles from falling into storage container or tray and contaminating the contents thereof, aiding in reducing the rate of evaporation of any fluid contained within the razor storage container, and reducing spillage or loss of any fluid or other material contained within the razor storage container if it is disturbed or knocked over. Additionally, the razor storage container may have protrusions or ‘feet’ extending from the bottom of the container or tray so that the container or tray is elevated above surface upon which it is resting. Further, the razor storage container may be contoured such that the head end of the container is wider than the handle end of the container so that the entire razor storage container does not need to be the full width of the razor head, thus reducing the footprint of the storage container, resulting in a smaller, more ergonomic device that occupies less space in a user's bathroom or other location. The dimensions of the razor storage tray can be altered to accommodate a variety of different types and sizes of razor blades and heads, from the traditional straight razor, to a ‘safety’ razor, to disposable cartridge head razors. Further, the razor handle end of the container may contain a ‘notch’ or other cutout so that the handle of a razor used for shaving may protrude outside of the razor storage container, allowing the overall length of the container to be shorter than the total length of the shaving razor itself.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a razor storage and maintenance method is provided, comprising: providing a razor storage container as described hereinabove, providing a fluid for maintaining a razor blade used for shaving that also conditions a user's skin as described hereinabove, placing a volume of the fluid into the razor storage container or tray sufficient

Yet other embodiments and implementations of the invention set forth herein may be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a shaving razor container of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one side of the container.

FIG. 3 is another top view of the container.

FIG. 4 is another side view of one side of the container.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the container.

FIG. 6 is a view of another side of the container.

FIG. 7 is another bottom view of the container.

FIG. 8 is another side view of another side of the container.

FIG. 9 is a view of one end of the container.

FIG. 10 is a view of another end of the container.

FIG. 11 is another view of one end of the container.

FIG. 12 is another view of another end of the container.

FIG. 13 is an orthogonal view of the container.

FIG. 14 is the orthogonal view of FIG. 13 with a cutaway.

FIG. 15 is another orthogonal view of the container.

FIG. 16 is the orthogonal view of FIG. 15 with a cutaway.

FIG. 17 is another orthogonal view of the container.

FIG. 18 is another orthogonal view of the container.

FIG. 19 is an orthogonal view of the container with a lid.

FIG. 20 is the orthogonal view of FIG. 19 showing removal of the lid.

FIG. 21 is another orthogonal view of the container with a lid.

FIG. 22 is the orthogonal view of FIG. 21 showing removal of the lid.

FIG. 23 is another orthogonal view of the container.

FIG. 24 is another orthogonal view of the container.

FIG. 25 is another orthogonal view of the container.

FIG. 26 is an orthogonal view of a portion of the container.

FIG. 27 is an orthogonal view of the container with a cutaway.

FIG. 28 is an orthogonal view of a portion of the container.

FIG. 29 is a side view of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 30 is an end view of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 31 is a side view of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 32 is an end view of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 33 is a view of another end of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 34 is a view of another side of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 35 is another view of another end of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 36 is another view of another side of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 37 is a top view of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 38 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 39 is another top view of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 40 is another bottom view of another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 41 is an orthogonal view of one embodiment of the container holding a shaving razor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 28, inclusive, a shaving razor storage container [1] of the disclosure is shown. The container has a length [17], a maximum width [18], and height [16]. The container is comprised of two parts: the tray [4] and the well [3]. At any point along the length [17] of the tray, the width of the container may be less than the maximum width [18]. A sidewall [2] encompasses the perimeter of container [1]. The sidewall may have four parts: a front container sidewall [2-F], a back container sidewall [2-B], a right container sidewall [2-R], and a left container sidewall [2-L]. The razor handle end of the container is the end of the container closest to the right container sidewall [2-R] while the razor head end of the container is the end of the container closest to the left container sidewall [2-L].

The tray [4] is connected to the well [3] and has a shallower depth than the well. The depth of the tray is defined as the vertical distance between the tray [4] and the top of the sidewall [2] at the points where the sidewall intersects the tray. The connection between the sidewall and the tray is watertight. The tray may have a slant or be completely flat or have a varying depth, and the height of the sidewall may be variable. Thus, the depth of the tray need not be consistent across all points in the tray. In the preferred embodiment, the tray has a gradual slope from the right container sidewall [2-R] to the left container sidewall [2-L] in a downward direction. The right container sidewall may have a cradle [5], which is a depressed area in the right container sidewall [2-R], reducing the height of the right container sidewall above the tray [4]. In the preferred embodiment, the cradle [5] is designed and shaped to accommodate the handle of a shaving razor.

The well [3] may be of any shape, size, or depth that fits within the overall width [18], length [17], and height [16] of the container. The well has a perimeter [32] which may be of variable size or dimension and does not need to be identical to the width [16] of the container. In the preferred embodiment, the well [3] is a semi-circle shape that occupies approximately one-third of the length of the container. The well is connected to the tray at the well-tray junction [27]. The well-tray junction is a watertight connection. The well has a center [25] and a well centerline [26]. The well center is a location on the tray centerline [14] and the well bottom wall [29]. The tray centerline [14] is a straight line that connects the middle of the right container sidewall [2-R] and the middle of the left container sidewall [2-L]. The well bottom wall [29] is the surface that defines the bottom of the well. The well center [25] must be lower vertically than end of the tray [4] at the well-tray junction [27]. The well also has a top [28] which is a horizontal plane extending across the entirety of the well at an elevation equal to the lowest point on the well-tray junction. The volume of the well is the area defined by the well top [28], the well perimeter [32], and the well bottom wall [29]. The well depth [30] may be variable but must be of sufficient depth to accommodate the razor head of a shaving razor and enough liquid to coat the razor blades of a shaving razor; it is not necessary for the liquid to be of sufficient depth to fully submerge the razor head and blades. In the preferred embodiment, the area of the well is also known as the razor head end of the container. In all instances, the well is designed to hold a volume of liquid. That liquid may be of any type but is preferably a shaving razor conditioner and preservative, an antiseptic or antimicrobial agent, a skin conditioner, or any combination of the foregoing.

The well bottom wall [29] slopes downward when moving in the direction from the left container sidewall [2-L] towards the right container sidewall [2-R]. When a shaving razor head is placed into the well, the slope allows debris from the shaving razor head to fall to the well bottom wall [29] and be subsequently carried down the slope of the well bottom wall away from the shaving razor head.

The razor storage container also has a base [15]. The base may be of a variety of designs. In the preferred embodiment, the base is a plurality of legs that extend downward from the bottom of the tray [4] and extend downward from the bottom of the well [3] such that the legs are the only portion of the container [1] that contact the surface upon which the container rests. However, this is only one embodiment and the base may take a variety of forms, including, by way of illustration and not of limitation, a solid base such that the entire container is a monolith. Alternative base structures are shown in FIGS. 23 through 40, inclusive.

Turning to FIGS. 19 through 22, inclusive, the container [1] may also comprise a lid [33]. The lid may be of variable shape and size and may, but is not required to, cover the entire top of the container. In the preferred embodiment, the lid covers a majority of the top of the container, leaving an opening through which the handle of a shaving razor may pass out of the cradle [5].

Turning to FIG. 41, the preferred embodiment of the razor storage container in use is shown. A shaving razor [C-1] is placed into the container [1] with the razor handle [C-2] protruding through the sidewall [2] via the cradle [5] to the exterior of the container. The razor cartridge [C-3] containing the shaving razor blades [C-4] is placed within the well [3]. A volume of liquid is poured into the well such that the liquid covers at least a portion of the razor cartridge [C-3] and shaving razor blades [C-4] but does not exit the well into the tray [4]. Debris from the razor head and shaving razor blades is allowed to fall into the well where the slope of the well bottom wall carries the debris away from the razor cartridge and shaving razor blades, allowing the shaving razor blades to remain clean and free of debris. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A razor storage device, comprising: a container having a height, width, and length, and further comprising a tray portion and a well portion, wherein the tray and the well are connected as a well-tray integrate, wherein, the well is a defined space comprising a well bottom wall and sides of sufficient height to encompass a volume at least large enough to contain the razor portion of a shaving razor and a volume of liquid sufficient to completely coat said razor portion within said liquid, and wherein, the well extends below a plane extending across the entirety of the well at an elevation equal to the lowest point on the well-tray junction.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is shaped to accommodate a container of corresponding size and shape, so the container fits within the space bounded by the razor storage device.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the container holds a fluid for use with the razor storage device.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the container holds a razor conditioner.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the container holds an anti-microbial agent.
 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the container holds a skin conditioner.
 7. A method for maintaining a razor, comprising: providing a razor storage device defining a space comprising a tray and a well, wherein the well defines a space for containing a volume of liquid; placing a liquid within the well; placing a razor head portion of a razor into the well, with the razor head in the well and a razor handle portion of a razor resting on the tray so the razor head portion is at least partially submerged in the liquid contained in the well; and allowing water and debris from the razor head portion to be separated from the razor head portion and fall to the bottom of the well.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the liquid is a razor conditioner.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the liquid comprises an anti-microbial agent.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the liquid comprises a skin conditioner. 